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Primal Fear

2013 • 130 minutes
4.6
34 reviews
77%
Tomatometer
18
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

A high-profile slaying becomes the case of an ambitious attorney's career in this legal thriller based on the novel by William Diehl. Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail, a famed defense lawyer who volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), a Kentucky teenager charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop. Covered with blood, Aaron was captured after a foot chase broadcast live on TV, making a gleeful Vail certain that he could raise his profile by defending the obviously guilty suspect. Assigned to prosecute is Assistant District Attorney Janet Venable (Laura Linney), who is Vail's ex-girlfriend. Vail's case becomes more complicated than he expected when a psychologist, Dr. Molly Arrington (Frances McDormand) concludes that Stampler suffers from multiple personality disorder. Vail also uncovers evidence that the archbishop was involved in a corrupt land scheme and may have molested young parishioners. Now the cynical, opportunistic attorney is faced with a daunting prospect, a client who may actually deserve his best defense. Its shocking, twist ending made Primal Fear (1996) a big box office hit and earned Norton, in his screen debut, an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Rating
18

Ratings and reviews

4.6
34 reviews
Jonathan Seyghal
February 6, 2016
So 90s! Without Norton it'd be awful, with it it's just about OK now. Does feel dated though
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A Google user
December 2, 2014
Very good movie. Edward Norton in this movie is fantastic
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Ms d t Pilkington
June 3, 2022
Loved it its twist and turns are fantastic
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